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Scottish Doctors 2

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Scottish Doctors 3

Learning Outcomes for Patient Investigation

Level 1 - What the doctor is able to do

Level 2 - Outcomes for Patient Investigationlink to Tomorrows doctors

As with practical procedures there are different categories of patient investigation depending on whether or not we would expect a new graduate to be able to undertake the task themselves or simply to know how the investigation is carried out and when it is appropriate to use it. Competency in the general principles of patient investigation is essential.

Level 3

This could include: Level 4

General principles of patient investigation link to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctors

Appropriate choice and use of investigation.

Requesting/ordering of investigations according to local protocols / guidelines.

Obtaining informed consent for investigations.

Ensuring proper patient identification.

Preparing patients for investigations practically and with adequate information.

Communicating the results of investigations to patients / relatives.

Interpreting reports / results of investigations.link to Tomorrows doctors

Providing all necessary demographic and clinical information on request forms.

Laboratory-based investigations:link to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctors

Demonstrable knowledge of the circumstances in which the commoner laboratory-based investigations are indicated and the procedures required to obtain the necessary material for investigation.
To include:

  • Biochemistry

  • Haematology

  • Microbiology

  • Pathology

  • Cytology

  • Genetics

  • Immunology

  • Virology

  • Toxicology

Radiological investigationslink to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctors

Demonstrable knowledge of the range of radiological investigations available and their appropriate use in different circumstances.

Clinical investigations link to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctorslink to Tomorrows doctors

A number of system-specific investigations which the graduate should know about and may have observed, but would not routinely be expected to perform c.f. Practical Procedures:
Exercise tolerance test
tap/biopsy
Upper and lower GI Endoscopy
EEG
Lumbar puncture
Cystoscopy
Colposcopy
Skin biopsy
Joint aspiration
Core biopsy
Fine needle aspiration
Laryngoscopy – direct and indirect
Nasal endoscopy

Specific Issues

The recommended methods of assessment for this outcome are:
OSCE
OSSE
OSPE
Short cases
EMI
CRQ

Other methods that may be considered, but which may be less reliable or valid are:
OSLER
MCQ
Logbook
Case histories
Viva

Potential new methods of assessment include:
Structured viva
Linked OSCE and EMI questions in alternate stations.
Linked OSCE stations.